Rapper Cordae Dunston, aka YBN Cordae, had a big year in 2019. A member of the world-spanning hip-hop collective Young Boss Niggas, he was named as part of XXL’s 2019 Freshman Class, and his debut album, The Lost Boy, received Grammy nominations for best rap album and best rap song. The accolades reflect his good work, which melds retro and trap beats into a fresh-sounding combo. I suggest you listen to his J.Cole-produced “RNP” with Los Angeles rapper Anderson .Paak—it’s a careening, funky number that’s all swagger and a whole lot of fun. by Jas Keimig